Rapha Team Sky replica kit now available

London-based clothing company Rapha’s Team Sky Replica kit is now available, offering the same look jersey and bib shorts as being raced by Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome this season. And with spring in the air (almost) now you can show your support for them and hit the roads in matching team kit.

Rapha offer three levels of Team Sky kit. There’s the £140 pro level jersey and shorts that is actually worn by the team, a £40 supporters jersey with a more relaxed fit, and sliding in between them both is the replica kit we’re showing you here today. From a distance it's hard to tell apart from the top-end version but the difference is in the fabrics used and the cut. And of course the price.

It’s made from performance fabrics but not the super high-tech stuff used in the pro jersey. A lightweight breathable Lycra is used in the main panels with mesh side panels for increased ventilation. The fabric is treated with an antibacterial finish.

The side panels have been designed to hold the jersey in shape and to stop the pockets sagging when heavily loaded. Talking of which, there’s three pockets plus a zipped pocket for your house keys or other valuable time. It’s available in six sizes (XS to XXL) and costs £75.

Get the full Team Sky look with the matching replica bib shorts. They’re made from an Elastane-based fabric with a high stretch factor to provide a good fit and comfort on the bike, as well as being breathable for warmer days.

The same antibacterial treatment is used. Fit is enhanced with a multi-panel design. Inside is a high quality chamois. They cost £100 and available in six sizes.

David has worked on the road.cc tech team since July 2012. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds.

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othello[397 posts]4 years ago

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Wondering why the Sky replica shorts are £100 and the classic bib shorts are £150?

I totally understand the move by Rapha to sell a £40 and £75 jersey whilst at the same time, totally not in agreement with the move...

A brand that I love, that established it's place in the cycling world predominantly on it's uniquely high quality, high style and exclusivity is now, in my opinion, completely undermining all of those values they stood for and have such regard for.
Going from that to selling cheap, nasty kit to the masses is just going to ruin the brand for me, is unjustifiable and, as much as it would sadden me, I can't see the brand surviving for many more years to come because of it.

Firstly, Rapha is a business, not some cool club for in the know riders only. And what a great UK success story they are. Let's celebrate it! We need companies like this to grow! We need to give up on the 'I know about Rapha so I am cool' exclusivity thing....design your own kit on Owayo if that is so important. Or try and outdo Mr Mottram and the team at Perrin Street.

Secondly, should we not be applauding Rapha's approach to offering kit at price points that many can afford? You can buy the actual team kit, right down to cheaper replica stuff. That's a great way of doing it; really inclusive. And the cheaper shirt is not nasty (have you even seen it?) Find another team doing the same.

Thirdly, how on earth can someone here know the specific cost of goods of different shorts? Some cost more, some less. Some cost more to make, some less. Company in different price for different product shocker!

Finally, who are we to judge whether or not someone wears replica kit. I know, all the rules of cycling etc (and I personally abide by them). But instead, let's celebrate anyone on a bike, not judge them...if they want to wear Sky kit, go for it. If they want to wear Cippolini's muscule skin suit, I say yeh! Anyone on a bike in the 'wrong' kit beats someone in a car in the right kit.

Yes, Rapha is a business and its all about shareholder value… but it plays heavily on its coolness/elitism, thats why I bought into it… Now it looks like its selling out those original values for its shareholders to profit.

I don't remember many people applauding Burberry when they went for a mass market appeal. The cheap shirt is exactly that, a cheap poly/cotton polo shirt with lots of branding.

Feel free to wear team kit but you should respect that other cyclists will judge, it isn't soccer where it is acceptable to replica kit. We have the same in the US with baseball and proper football

The reason I know about the costs is that I work for a well know sportswear company in Portland, go figure. The cost difference between those shorts will be about $5. Well done Rapha for adding £50 of value to them.

Yes, Rapha is a business and its all about shareholder value… but it plays heavily on its coolness/elitism, thats why I bought into it… Now it looks like its selling out those original values for its shareholders to profit.

I don't remember many people applauding Burberry when they went for a mass market appeal. The cheap shirt is exactly that, a cheap poly/cotton polo shirt with lots of branding.

Feel free to wear team kit but you should respect that other cyclists will judge, it isn't soccer where it is acceptable to replica kit. We have the same in the US with baseball and proper football

The reason I know about the costs is that I work for a well know sportswear company in Portland, go figure. The cost difference between those shorts will be about $5. Well done Rapha for adding £50 of value to them.

FG

...I work in medical research, no conflict of interest....I just tire of all the Rapha-whingeing...I think we need a need descriptor for a certain mindset: Rapha Bashers..perhaps...other options far cleverer than my humble effort?

And I maintain, let's not judge, let's encourage others not to, let's be the change we should want to see...let's love everyone on a bike

I don't accept that making a comment or to criticise as "whinging"… I bet rapha love it.. It's branding is no accident…

No one made them sponsor Sky they did it to make money and if they choose to water their brand by doing cheap replica kit then why can people people be have an opinion? It puts me, a Rapha customer since 2006, right off them.

I don't get how commenting on a raphia post has turned into a cyclist love in.. I hate cyclists that run red lights and some of the couriers in Portland could do well to use soap when they do drop off to my office..

Hi Fixie Girl,
I assume you work for Nike? If so, the economies of scale and the type of clothing made are extremely different. Do you work on the design and manufacturing side? I thought it wasn't the done thing to knock fellow manufacturers? Or is that just my naivety?

I of course work in cyclewear, design Vulpine and look after manufacturing. I am intimate with most of the specific fabrics, trims and techniques involved. I think it's extremely unlikely there is a $5 difference, particularly at the high-end of the scale. Using a better zip can add that to the cost of a garment alone.

I think what Rapha and Simon are doing is just fantastic. I'm very jealous! Its a dream to sponsor such an awesome team. Smashing. And British. Yea!

i like rapha, but sadly my funds cannot run to their products (as much as i would like some of their stuff)

however i saw the sky jersey liked it and thought £75 is nearer my budget. Apparently though i now have a new list to be wary of

Rapha fans - you are cheapening the brand

Lidl fans- Rapha you snob!!!! i could get 10 jerseys for that

others - team kit is only for team riders

it's hard enough some times as a cyclist without getting grief from within the brethren
as well. surely showing support for a British team doing well in our sport should be a good thing. No i will never time trial like brad, climb like froomey or do a classic like Geraint, but then i'm not saying i can.

i'm sure we've all seen some dubious sights on bikes before, but f**k it. they're one of us and as long as they adhere to the rules of the road and don't cycle like a k**b then live and let live.

Who I work for is irrelevant in this context as I am passing a comment as an individual.. I don't run the company I work for. I previously worked as a buyer for an Italian cycle clothing company hence I know the price points on shorts made in italy and china.

I can't understand why when anyone questions Rapha they are criticised as whinging/knocking… I thought you Brits were all for free speech… I have spent $$$ with Rapha over the years so I am disappointed in them lowering their brand and I bet I am not the only customer who thinks so.

Rapha charge lots, people kick off. Make some cheaper kit and people kick off. Pretty hard to win. Ah well if it puts off those obsessed with the brand id i'll be happier buying it! Also while I personally don't wear trade team kit surely people buying it helps support the teams which can only be a good thing at the moment.

i like rapha, but sadly my funds cannot run to their products (as much as i would like some of their stuff)

however i saw the sky jersey liked it and thought £75 is nearer my budget. Apparently though i now have a new list to be wary of

Rapha fans - you are cheapening the brand

Lidl fans- Rapha you snob!!!! i could get 10 jerseys for that

others - team kit is only for team riders

it's hard enough some times as a cyclist without getting grief from within the brethren
as well. surely showing support for a British team doing well in our sport should be a good thing. No i will never time trial like brad, climb like froomey or do a classic like Geraint, but then i'm not saying i can.

i'm sure we've all seen some dubious sights on bikes before, but f**k it. they're one of us and as long as they adhere to the rules of the road and don't cycle like a k**b then live and let live.

and if in doubt refer to rule 17

...perfectly said.

As a result of this discussion I have decided to wave particularly cheery waves to people in replica Sky team kit for the rest of the year..even (sharp intake of breath) last years kit!!!! ..(though not if they run red lights of course, heaven forbid)...

In fact, I am going to give every (law abidding) cyclist in any team kit particularly welcoming waves, especially if they look new to the sport (you know, unmatching shorts and jersey, slightly..er...odd helmet perched quite far back). I may even say hello to them at lights and say how awesome they look, and comment on how well their team is doing.

I don't accept that making a comment or to criticise as "whinging"… I bet rapha love it.. It's branding is no accident…

No one made them sponsor Sky they did it to make money and if they choose to water their brand by doing cheap replica kit then why can people people be have an opinion? It puts me, a Rapha customer since 2006, right off them.

I don't get how commenting on a raphia post has turned into a cyclist love in.. I hate cyclists that run red lights and some of the couriers in Portland could do well to use soap when they do drop off to my office..

FG

I turned it into a love in for me because I think we should love every cyclist...even the dude who runs the red light...love him enough to catch them up and say 'no, don't do that, it makes us look bad and worse, you might get really badly hurt'....love the smelly courier enough to think 'damn, that's stinky, but what a smile, and wow, his job must be much tougher than mine'.. love them enough to think maybe this isnt the life they had hoped for, and see if they want a decent and free coffee from a nice company machine. Love the cyclist who squeezes past a lorry on a corner enough to say 'no, you are gonna get smeared over the road, let me explain....etc'.

And Fixiegirl, I love you too....let me buy you that Skinny Latte...and you can have toppings if you want, they are on me...

Not a fan of the Sky kit, however I have just bought the 'Classic' Rapha Jersey after almost a year of toing and froing with the idea of spending £130 on a jersey (+ arm warmers). I can safely say it's the best item of cycle clothing I've ever bought and would recommend them to anyone!

Thanks everyone! I knew I'd get more than a few minutes entertainment and distraction from work if I checked out the comments on a Rapha article.
Off to the latest Lance Armstrong one now; might have to get a cup of tea first...